not love much better than Sir Timothy. Then
the speech must have been composed, and afterwards submitted to
someone,--probably to old Roby again, by whom no doubt it would
be cut and slashed, and made quite a different speech than he had
intended. If he had not praised Sir Timothy himself, Roby,--or
whatever other tutor might have been assigned to him,--would have put
the praise in. And then how many hours it would have taken to learn
"the horrid thing" by heart. He proudly felt that he had not been
prompted by idleness to decline the task; but not the less was he
glad to have shuffled the burden from off his shoulders.

Early the next morning he was in Brook Street, having sent a note to
say he would call, and having even named the hour. And yet when he
knocked at the door, he was told with the utmost indifference by a
London footman, that Miss Boncassen was not at home,--also that Mrs.
Boncassen was not at home;--also that Mr. Boncassen was not at home.
When he asked at what hour Miss Boncassen was expected home, the man
answered him, just as though he had been anybody else, that he knew
nothing about it. He turned away in disgust, and had himself driven
to the Beargarden. In his misery he had recourse to game-pie and a
pint of champagne for his lunch. "Halloa, old fellow, what is this I
hear about you?" said Nidderdale, coming in and sitting opposite to
him.

"I don't know what you have heard."

"You are going to second the address. What made them pick you out
from the lot of us?"

"It is just what I am not going to do."

"I saw it all in the papers."

"I dare say;--and yet it isn't true. I shouldn't wonder if they ask
you." At this moment a waiter handed a large official letter to Lord
Nidderdale, saying that the messenger who had brought it was waiting
for an answer in the hall. The letter bore the important signature
of T. Beeswax on the corner of the envelope, and so disturbed Lord
Nidderdale that he called at once for a glass of soda-and-brandy.
When opened it was found to be very nearly a counterpart of that
which Silverbridge had received down in the country. There was,
however, added a little prayer that Lord Nidderdale would at once
come down to the Treasury Chambers.

"They must be very hard up," said Lord Nidderdale. "But I shall do
it. Cantrip is always at me to do something, and you see if I don't
butter them up properly." Then having fortified himself with game-pie
and a glass of brown sherry